Lulu*s Style Studio - In Phoenix!

I am so excited to announce that for the past few weeks, the Phoenix Style Collective has been working  alongside Lulu*s to bring a style studio event to Phoenix. The event is totally free & open to all you fashionable bloggers out there! Mara from the lovely blog M Loves M will be hosting - who I am so excited to finally meet. Hope to see you all there!

Reserve your spot at http://stylestudiophoenix.eventbrite.com

Tweet me if you're planning to attend too! {@kthornhill}

...

Fashion's Night Out

Be there!

tastemakers at Hanny's

This photo has nothing to do with the post, other than the fact that it was taken in Phoenix. But a blog post without a photo is a little like visiting a froyo shop and not being given any sample cups, and not having a toppings bar. Basically, it makes no sense.

Anywho. The entire point of this post is to announce a pretty awesome event coming to Phoenix this week! The Phoenix Style Collective, myself included, is hosting a networking event/weekday soiree at Hanny's on Thursday, affectionately referred to as Tastemakers. Bring your fashionable self, your artsy friends, creative co-workers, a few business cards and a smile. There will likely be some old friends, familiar faces, and new ones to chat with!

So yes, you're coming?

Good.

...

{An Evening with Madewell}

A few weeks ago, my beautiful blonde friend Chelsea hosted a very fashionable evening at the Madewell store in Scottsdale. Our good friend Courtney is the store's director, and she put together such a fun evening with a live DJ, tons of local phoenix bloggers & friends, tammie coe treats and my favorite san pellegrino blood orange refreshers.

My friend Ashlyn and I stopped by after work. It was my first visit to a Madewell store, and boy was my heart in for a good ache. I fell in love over and over as I sifted through the beautiful tops, spring skirts, brightly colored dresses and baggu bags, all a little too pricey for me to buy the 50+ items I am coveting.

Hello, arm party.

Ashley, Ashlyn, Chelsea & I.

It was fun! Thanks Court & Madewell for having us!

...

{The 2012 Arizona Blogger Conference: Behind the Scenes}

If you are a blogger and living in the state of Arizona, chances are you were at Saturday's Arizona Blogger Conference at the Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale. And if you weren't...I'm sorry. It was SO fun (not so humble brag)!

The Phoenix Style Collective crew and I arrived at the hotel at about noon on the day of the event. The hotel set us up with a fantastic location, an entire private bar & outdoor patio that was perfect for mingling/chatting/bloggers standing next to each other while they do things on their phone (we can't help it.)

We stuffed goodie bags, arranged cute mini cacti, and loosely set up where the vendors and fun activities were going to take place. There were also coffee runs involved (of course), although we probably had enough steam to stay up for days just based on excitement energy.

Typically, our group meets each Wednesday at a different local coffee shop in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. This past week, our final prep before the conference, I was on my death bed with a wicked fever. It had been some time since I had seen Josh, Courtney, Kara, Chelsea and John so I was excited we got to spend a few hours before the big event just chatting and catching up. Mostly freaking out that the day was already here.

Madewell lent us two racks full of their beautiful clothing for a styling station, which were hung with love by Courtney and I. Mostly Courtney, since every new piece that came out of the tub I nearly fainted with clothing envy for anyone who already owns the beautiful tops, skirts, sweaters & accessories. Oh Madewell, I will be making a very fun trip to see you soon!

The pièce de résistance, the Madewell banner which we used as the backdrop for our fashion entry photos. The last place this well loved denim quilt traveled was Coachella, which was entirely too cool for any of us to handle.

Anyone who made it out to the event, a heartfelt thank you for making it such a success. Two days later and I'm still glowing from all of the nice things people said about the conference, and I can't wait to make next year's bigger and better than ever.

...

photo cred for picture #1: Brenda Eden Photography

{2012 Arizona Blogger Conference - It's Almost Here!}

For those of you who haven't purchased a ticket to the Arizona Blogger Conference this weekend, I highly suggest you hurry up and do it! Our tickets are almost sold out. Below are the awesome attractions and activities you have to look forward to if you're attending, which I stole off of the Phoenix Style Collective Blog. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

-Savante Salon will be doing mini salon services

-The Coffee Chop will be serving one of a kind espresso and coffee and will be teaching latte art

-The Agency AZ will be teaching fierce blogger pose perfection

-Madewell will be sponsoring a styling station

-Brenda Eden Photography will be making you all look beautiful in a photo booth

-Corona Couture Jewelry will have their finest on display for sale

-Rumble and Spur Jewelry will showcase their unique collection

-The Saguaro Hotel will have a fantastic collection of munchies for you to enjoy (included in your ticket purchase) as well as a cash bar

And don't forget about the amazing presenters who will be sharing their knowledge with us:

-Sarah Rhodes of Arrow + Apple will share tips for taking better blog photos

-Georganne Bryant, owner of Frances Vintage will speak about blogging for a business

-Katie Leavitt from Running on Happiness will talk about a day in the life of a personal style blogger

-Margaree Bigler of Local First AZ is speaking about the importance of supporting local

-Kenny Barrett of Roosevelt Row will talk about getting involved with Roosevelt Row and the downtown community

DON'T FORGET:

-Each ticket purchase includes a goodie bag that is STUFFED with goodies from our awesome sponsors! (Also, don't wait til the last minute, these are first come, first served!)

-Each ticket purchase includes one raffle ticket for some amazing prizes, and there will be extra tickets available for purchase!

-You can stay at the beautiful Saguaro Hotel at a discounted rate using the code: PRBLOG

-Tickets are selling fast, so get yours NOW! We will have a very limited number of tickets at the door for last minute attendees but please don't wait til the last minute to buy your ticket. We want to see you there!

SEE YOU SATURDAY!

With love,

The Phoenix Style Collective

--> PURCHASE TICKETS HERE <--

{Arizona Blogger Conference}

Saturday, April 28, myself and the rest of the Phoenix Style Collective will be hosting this year's Arizona Blogger Conference! I'm so excited for the event, which will take place at the Saguaro hotel in Scottsdale. To check out more fun details, and to get your ticket, click here.

In other news, I'm officially ending my accidental blogging silence! Woot! I know you've all missed me:)

{A Thank You}

I'm over at the Phoenix Style Collective blog today, sharing photos from our event & a big thank you to all of our friends and supporters! Go to the post here.

{founders}

{Phoenix Style Collective Launch Party}

I mentioned I'd have more information on this new project soon, and here it is! We're throwing a launch party on Jan. 27, and would love to see everyone come out. Check out more info below, and let me know in the comments if you'll be attending!

{Daydreaming of Fall}

Happy September 1st!

I have such big love for the month of September. It's my birthday month (which doesn't hurt) but it also means we're right on the cusp of fall! My favorite season. Even though we won't feel the season's loveliness for months here in AZ, a girl can daydream, right? Sigh. Those dreams are filled with scarves and leggings, crisp mornings, changing leaves, pumpkin flavored baked treats and apple cider.

At the Neiman Marcus fall preview breakfast for bloggers yesterday, we talked beauty secrets, handbags, shoes & upcoming trends. I'm excited to mix deep bordeaux throughout my fall wordrobe, but even better...shimmer! Sequins and sparkle, bring it on. I trend I can really get behind :)

So fabulous.

{DownEast Basics Event Part. II}

On Monday evening, Kara and I ventured up to Glendale for the DownEast Basics Arizona Blogger event. Before I received the invitation, I had never stopped in at a DownEast Basics store. The clothes are perfect for more conservative casual & cute outfits, which I'm always looking for to wear to work!

There are locations popping up all over Arizona, and other states too. I am a big fan of cozy cardigans, and their sweaters were tempting! Especially with my daydreams of fall in full force these days.

We wandered back and forth throughout the racks, picking out items we wanted to take into the dressing room to try on. Kara picked out a few dresses, tops and a soft sweatshirt, and I was drawn to the scarves, cardigans and more pretty tops. 

I found a few of my favorites and headed into the dressing room. Once I was in, I probably spent an hour on my own personal photo shoot, filled with lovely mirror shots!

What I wore to the event:

What I tried on (a few):

None of which are what I ended up taking home, courtesy of DownEast Basics. That particular item I'll be saving for a special outfit post! Thanks again to the whole team who put on the event, and to Courtney for the recommendation!

{A Peek: DownEast Basics Blogger Event}

Busy busy around these parts, but I did want to pop in to show a sneak peek of the DownEast Basics blogger event I attended last night! A huge thank you to Lisa and the rest of the DownEast  management and PR team for the invitation. I had fun!

{Arrogant Butcher & Bloggers}

Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting up with a few lovely Arizona bloggers. We met at Arrogant Butcher, one of my favorite downtown restaurants, to chat over brunch. 

What a fun time! It is so nice to meet people who understand this weird world of blogging we are participating in. This is only fueling my fire to attend Blogher, which I've decided I must jump on the bandwagon to do next year.

My breakfast was HUGE. I ordered the egg sandwich with avocado & bacon, but in a burrito instead of on a bun. I swear there must have been eight eggs in that burrito. Which made for a wonderful second breakfast for lunch that day too.

I'm always intrigued by Fox restaurants. The interior design & styling that goes in to all of the Fox concepts is spot on! It's always nice when a restaurant's decorations are as awesome as the food. On a non brunch day, I always always order the Grilled Chicken Tabbouleh salad with the addition of kalamata olives...which is unreal. If you're an AZ resident, you must check this place out! It's located at CityScape in downtown Phoenix.

Thanks to Emily, Kristine, Heather & Carolyn for such a wonderful time!

{this & that}

The past week(ish) has been packed & crammed full of so many fun things, I'm almost completely burnt-out of fun.

Not really. But I am definitely ready and excited for this weekend, which is sure to be full of all kinds of sleeping in and being lazy.

A recap:

Last weekend I attended the Arizona Blogger Meet-Up in downtown Phoenix and had the BEST time.We toured all over, drooled over vintage things, drank coffee from local favorites & I even won a prize! I met so many wonderful ladies, and I can't wait until we meet up again!

Last week the agency I work at had it's 3rd annual Art Show. What a blast! We had local artists and employees submit their best pieces, catering by Short Leash hotdogs, drinks from Four Peaks Brewery and Pillsbury Wine. It was awesome. This week a couple friends, Chris & I went to the Arizona Foothills Magazine party 'Best of Our Valley' at Wrigley Mansion, where the winners of each topic are celebrated, from Arizona's most fashionable, to best pizza restaurant, best happy hour and more. There was tons of wine, beautiful people and dancing. Even Frankie Muniz made an appearance...(he is so small!)

Chris and I spent an afternoon at Barnes & Noble. We may be planning something. 

(Rick Steves is such a homie. Just sayin.)

And finally, one of our clients teamed up with the Phoenix Suns for a 'dribble till you drop' competition called Bounce with the Suns. I was there for the majority of the event, and watched as the 47 entrants were forced out, one by one, because of accidents, obstacles, bribes from Suns players, hunger or fatigue. 44 HOURS later, the final dribbler was crowned winner! 

Can you even imagine?! I don't think I could dribble for an hour straight!

What fun things do you have planned for this weekend?

{Brights}

I'm not very good at wearing color. Which sounds odd. How can you be bad at wearing color? Think of it more as an aversion to brightness, and a love of black. Black sweaters, black skinnies, black tanks and shirts, black skirts, black button-ups, and black dresses pour out of every side of my closet.

It's very hard to find anything in there. 

Maybe it's the inner Seattle-girl in me,

who loves cloudy days, low-light coffee houses, 

rain & gloom in the early morning,

and the chunkiest of sweaters found in dark navy blues and black.

Que move to Arizona,

hot as hell everyday. No such thing as winter, rain, clouds or morning fog.

My fashion is starting to shift, including this...bright dress + black sweater. 

I'm assimilating. Slowly but surely. 

Spring has sprung in Phoenix! Can you tell?

Florals are dug out of the back of closets, 

the grass is green & the sun is shining.

{models}

Sarah & Dani, fashion bloggers extraordinaire and the friends who came with me to the AZ blogger meet up! 

Lookin great ladies!

{Woohoo!}

Fridays arrive. 

I wear jeans to work, comfortable tops & TOMS,

the weight of the week is lifted,

and the light at the end of the tunnel is so close!

This week, my light looks like this:

The lovely ladies Danielle from SometimesSweet, Kelsey from Roofresh and Chelsea from Tea Talk have put together an Arizona Blogger event, taking place throughout Downtown Phoenix & Tempe this weekend.

The all-day event will tour us through parks, vintage & antique shops, crafts & coffee and finally an evening at La Bocca restaurant. It'll be great to meet some fellow Arizonans who share my love of blogging!

Woohoo!